Trunk-fastening



(ModeL) G. L. BAILEY.

TRUNK FASTENING.

No. 346,575. Patented Aug. 3, ;886.

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wz izyes ses gm UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

GILBERT L. BAILEY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

TRUNK-FASTENING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent; No. 346.575, dated August3, 1886.

Application filed November 52, 1885. Serial No. 181,686. (Modch) T0 atwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GILBERT L. BAILEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Trunk-Fastenings, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in metallic fastenings for trunksand boxes, and has for its object the production of a simple, strong,and convenient fastening for the lids of trunks, in addition to theordinary lock.

My invention consists in the combination and adaptation of the parts, ashereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is afront elevation ofatrunk-fastening embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side sectional viewin the plane indicated by line as :0, Fig. 1, showing the partsdisengaged; and Fig. 8, a like section showing the parts as whenfastened.

Similar letters and figures refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Plate 1 isfor attachment to thelid ofa trunk, and has extending from itslower edge a rigid tongue, 1, having an opening or slot, E.

Plate 2 is for attachment to the body of the trunk, and has twolongitudinal ribs, A A, projecting from its face. Latch-plate 3, havingcatches 3 3 on opposite sides, is pivoted near the lower end of saidplate 2, and works between ribs A A. A rectangular-shaped link, 4,having a rigid tongue, 6, projecting from its upper cross-bardownwardly,and below the plane ofits sides, forming a latch and lifter,is hinged to and held in position on plate 1, near the lower end, by cap5, and depends therefrom over a part of latch-plate 3. A flat spring, 7,is confined by one end to plate 2 by passing through a beveled slot insaid plate, near its upper end, while the free end acts against theunder side of latch-plate 3 at a point below the pivotal bearing of saidplate, and serves to hold the plate to its bearings, as well as to forcecatch 3" and link 4, into position to lock.

lVhen plates 1 and 2 are brought together by closing the trunk, tongue 1strikes against the beveled portion of catch 3", forcing it outwardagainst the pressure of spring 7, and permitting tongue (5 to pass undersaid catch, while the lower end of latch 4 moves along the beveledsurface of catch 3 until the lid is closed, when spring 7 forces catch3' into slot E of tongue 1, at the same time drawing the lower part oflatch 4 over catch 3 through the medium of tongue 6, thus doubly lockingthe trunlclid, as shown in Fig. 3. The lower cross-bar or end of latch 4is made wide, and is beveled on its under side to admit the fingers whenthe lid is to be raised.

To open the trunk, the link 4 is retracted from its engagement withcatch 3, which movement, by the action of tongue 6, also disengagescatch 3" from the slot in tongue 1, as shown in Fig. 2, when the lid maybe raised by continued lifting on link 4. The outward movement of latch4 is limited by its tongue 6 striking against the upper part of a slotin cap 5, through which it projects. \Vhen the trunk is closed, all theoperative parts of the fastenings are flush with or below the edges ofribs A A, and are thus protected from injury that might otherwise resultfrom handling the trunk.

It will be perceived from the foregoing description, and from referenceto the drawings,

that this fastening is double-acting, having two catches, and thereforevery strong, and that both are automatically actuated by one spring tolock the trunk. It will also be perceived that latch 4, with its rigidtongue, has three functions-viz., as a lock in connection with catch 3,to disengage catch 3 from tongue 1, and as a litter in raising the lid.It will also be seen that if catch 3 were omitted or removed thefastening would still be effective and require the same movement to openthe lid of the trunk; but I consider the form of construction shown asbeing the most desirable.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

In a trunk-fastener, the combination of a plate, 2, with projecting ribsformed thereon, and latch-plate 3, having catches 3 3 on opposite sidesthereof, pivoted thereto, and a spring acting thereon, with plate 1having a rigid tongue, 1', and having pivoted thereto a link providedwith a rigid tongue, 6, said link being adapted to engage with the catch3' of the latch-plate, and the tongue adapted to release catch 3 fromengagement with tongue 1, substantially as and for the purpose hereinset forth.

\Vitnesses: GILBERT L. BAILEY.

M. L. Tnicnsnnnv, FRANK S. BEAL.

